Jamison erupts for 35 to lead S&Ds and help snap Cavs’ losing streak

Antawn Jamison and the Cleveland Cavaliers had been the butt of too many jokes over the last two months.

Jamison took matters into his own hands Friday night, blistering the Los Angeles Clippers for 35 points and nine rebounds to lead the Cavaliers’ stunning 126-119 overtime victory and end their NBA record 26-game losing streak.

“It’s a great feeling and great for the morale of this team, this city and these fans,” Jamison told reporters after the game, the Cavaliers’ first victory since Dec. 18. “It’s finally good to get it. We’ve been working so hard for this. We finally got it.”

The Cavaliers matched, but didn’t better, the longest losing streak in any of the four major professional sports. Their 26-game losing streak matched the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to 1977 and baseball’s 1889 Louisville Colonels.

During their losing streak, the Spurs won 21 games and Chicago won 19.

But for a night, the Cavaliers could celebrate like they haven’t done many times this season with a roster depleted without LeBron James.

Indiana F Dahntay Jones: Notched all 19 of his points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pacers to a 116-105 triumph over Minnesota and their sixth victory in seven games under interim coach Frank Vogel.

Phoenix G Steve Nash: Provided a team-high 18 points, 10 assists and was plus-12 in the Suns’ 95-83 victory at Utah — their third straight triumph.

Cleveland G Mo Williams: Came off the bench to produce 17 points and 14 assists and was plus-10 in the Cavaliers’ overtime victory over the Clippers.

New Orleans F David West: Posted 17 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and was plus-12 in the Hornets’ 99-93 triumph at Orlando snapping a four-game losing streak.

Miami F LeBron James: Produced 16 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, four steals, was plus-15 and even took a heckler to task in the Heat’s victory at Detroit.

Orlando C Dwight Howard: Scored 20 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked three shots in the Magic’s home loss to New Orleans.

Utah G Deron Williams: Despite being greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos in his first game since Jerry Sloan was fired, he produced team-leading totals of 19 points and 14 assists and grabbed eight rebounds in the Jazz’s home loss to Phoenix.

DUDS

Utah C Al Jefferson: Endured a miserable 2-for-14 shooting night as he scored only four points and was minus-8 in the Jazz’s home loss to Phoenix.

Charlotte G D.J. Augustin: Went 2-for-10 from the field, missing all four 3-pointers, and was minus-7 in the Bobcats’ loss to New Jersey.

Orlando G Jameer Nelson: Struggled through a 3-for-11 performance from the field with four turnovers in the Magic’s loss to New Orleans.

Detroit G Tracy McGrady: Was 2-for-6 from the field with five turnovers and was minus-20 in the Pistons’ home loss to the Heat.

San Antonio’s starting backcourt: Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker combined to shoot 5-for-20 and commit six turnovers in the Spurs’ loss at Philadelphia.

Portland G Wesley Matthews: Clanked through a 1-for-7 shooting night with five turnovers in the Trail Blazers’ victory at Toronto.

Minnesota G Jonny Flynn: Hit 2-for-8 from the field with five turnovers and was minus-4 in the Timberwolves’ loss at Indiana.

Los Angeles Clippers G Eric Bledsoe: Went 5-for-12 from the field, missing all three 3-pointers, and was minus-14 in the Clippers’ overtime loss at Cleveland.

Milwaukee C Andrew Bogut: Went 2-for-9 from the field and was limited to five points in the Bucks’ loss at Memphis.

New York F Danilo Gallinari: Sputtered through a struggling 4-for-15 shooting night, missing all six 3-pointers, and was minus-11 in the Knicks’ loss to the Lakers.

New York C Amar’e Stoudemire: Scored a team-best 24 points, but was minus-14 with six turnovers in the Knicks’ loss to the Lakers.